Printing apparatus



Jan. 11, 1938, s. w. BOOTH PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 28, 1955' '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 11, 1938. w, BOOTH PRINTING APPARATUS Filed'Aug. 28, 1935- 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Elma/rm Jan. 11, 1938. G. w. BQOTH 2,105,399

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 28, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Jan. 11, 1938. 2,105,39 9

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 28, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 WII/1 Q I y 3% W44 awe/who's e. w. BOOTH 2,105,399

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 28, 1955 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 Jan. 11, 1938.

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m m NA fl F fm h Jan.,ll, 1938. G. w. BOOTH 2,105,399

PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 28, 1955 v 7 Sheets-Sheet e Jan. 11, 1938. G. w. BOOTH PRINTING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 28, 1935 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Georsgz Z0. 600% Patented Jan. 11, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE PRINTING APPARATUS Application August 28, 1935, Serial No. 38,307

18 Claims.

The present invention relates to apparatus for feeding a line of separate articles such as container closures and printing or otherwise imposing data or decorative matter thereon.

A principal object of the invention is to provide means whereby separate preformed articles, such as closures, may be fed and impressed upon with precision.

Another object is to provide means whereby articles having surfaces in different planes may have printed matter accurately imposed on the different surfaces.

As exemplifying the invention I have shown in the accompanying drawings an embodiment designed particularly to feed and print closures having central and marginal portions in different planes, closures of this type being disclosed in my Patent No. 1,956,217 issued April 24, 1934. The apparatus may also include a drying oven 20 to which the printed closures are immediately passed.

In the drawings,

Figure 1 is a front elevation of the machine;

Figure 2 is a plan view of the printing section of the machine;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the feeding section of the machine;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal vertical section of the feeding section of the machine;

Figure 5 is an enlarged plan View, partly in section of a portion of the feeding section of the machine;

Figure 6 is a section substantially on line 6-6 of Figure 4;

35 Figure 7 is a section substantially on line 1-1 of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is a section substantially on line 8-8 of Figure 4; m Figure 9 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken at the extreme right of Figure 3;

Figure 10 is a sectional view substantially on line I0l0 of Figure 2;

Figure 11 is a sectional view substantially on line HH of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is a section substantially on line lZ-IZ of Figure 10;

Figure 13 is an enlarged sectional view taken at the bottom of the right hand roll of Figure 10; Figure 14 is a sectional view taken at the bottom of the left hand roll of Figure 10;

Figure 15 is a partial elevation partly in section of a modified form of printing roll;

Figure 16 is a section substantially on line 16-16 of Figure 15;

Figure 17 is a plan view of a printing band appearing in elevation in Figure 15;

Figure 18 is an axial section of a further modified form of printing roll;

Figure 19 is an elevation partly in section of the devices of Figure 18 as seen from the left of that figure;

Figure 20 is a plan View of a portion of the printing roll of Figure 18 partly in section on line 20-40 of Figure 18, and

Figure 21 is a partial axial section of another modified form of printing roll.

Referring to the drawings, the printing section of the machine comprises a pair of parallel vertical frame members or walls 25 and 26, the member 25, which is at the rear of the machine, having an upward extension 21. These frame members are suitably secured together by cross members so as to provide a rigid supporting structure. At its right hand end, Figure 1, the frame has secured thereto one end of a horizontal table 28 whose other end is supported on legs as at 29.

Adjacent the ends of walls 25 and 26 remote from table 28 the walls have journaled therein a shaft 30 on which is fixed a sprocket 3|. A bracket 32 secured beneath the table 28 at the outer end of the latter carries a stub shaft 33 on which is journaled a disc 34, this disc carrying a rim sprocket 35 through pin and slot connections, as shown, so that the sprocket is angularly adjustable relative to the disc. While this adjusting feature is not essential for the sprocket 35 since disc 34 is freely rotatable on shaft 33, such an arrangement is preferred for sprocket 3|, since the latter should be adjustable relative to shaft 30. An endless sprocket chain 36 connects the two sprockets, the chain being provided at intervals with outwardly projecting fingers 31.

For the purpose of tensioning the chain, bracket 32, Figure 9, has a plate base provided with slots through which are passed cap screws as at 38 and 39. A depending flange 40 at the end of table 28 is provided with bores rotatably receiving cap screws as at 4|, these being threaded into bores in the bracket base. Upon loosening the screws 38 and 39, the bracket may be adjusted longitudinally of the table by turning the screws 41, screws 38 and 39 being again tightened to hold the bracket in adjusted position.

Table 28 has a lower longitudinally extending rib 42, Figure 6, in which is formed an upper, udinally extending channel 43 having on the bottom wall thereof a longitudinal rib 44. The upper run of chain 36 is disposed in channel 43, the chain being supported and guided on rib 44, as shown. The side walls of channel 43 are surmounted by longitudinally extending rab'bets 45 and 4B in which are set angle strips 41 and 48, a slot existing between the said strips through which fingers 31 project. The distance between the vertical flanges of the angle strips 41 and 48 is slightly greater than the diameter of the closures 49. The closures 49 as here shown are discs of the substantially flat form disclosed in my Patent No. 1,956,217, but having a slightly upwardly offset central portion so that the top of the central portion and the top of the marginal portion lie in separate planes.

Mounted in mating recesses as at 50 above channel 43, Figures 5 and 6, are the base flanges of a series of magazines St to 51, these magazines being adapted to receive stacks of the closures 49. The magazines are all of identical construction and their ejecting mechanisms are in general the same as disclosed in the Huntley et al. Patent No. 1,956,218, April 24, 1934. The construction is particularly shown in Figures 5 and 6 of the present drawings to which reference will now be made.

The base flange 54' is provided with three equally spaced radial recesses 56 adjacent the inner margins of which are pivoted on vertical pins 57 the finger devices 58, these having the inwardly projecting fish tails with points 59 and 60 which are vertically spaced slightly more than the thickness of the closure margins. A ring 5! surmounting flange 55 has a peripheral groove in which is oscillable a ring 62, the latter carrying pins 63 which engage in notches in the outer ends of the devices 58. The pivot pins 5'! are mounted in bores in ring 6!. Ring 52 has a radially extending lug 64 which carries an upwardly projecting pin 65 on which is mounted a roller 66. A tubular member 6'! has a base flange mounted on top of ring 6|. Members 54, 6 i, and 6'! have flush cylindrical inner walls whose diameter is slightly greater than the diameter of the closures and the same as the distance between the vertical flanges of angles 41 and 48.

The axis of these members intersects the central longitudinal line of channel 43.

When a stack of closures is placed in the magazine, the bottom one comes to rest on top of the lower points 59, the upper member normally being outside of the inner circle of flange 55. When ring 62 is turned in a clock-wise direction, Figure 5, the points (it come above the lowermost closure and the lower points pass outwardly out of engagement with the same so that the latter is ejected downwardly by gravity, the upper points supporting the closures thereabove. As ring 62 is returned, the points 6!] recede and permit the stack to drop onto points 59 which have again moved thereunder. In this manner, the closures are ejected one by one onto the trackway constituted by strips 4'! and 48.

The flange 55 is engaged by clips 63 screw attached to the table top so as to be securely held in position, and if desired, positioning dowels may be located between the flange and the bottom of the recess 59. The recesses 59 are equally spaced apart.

The lugs 54 all project toward the rear of the machine and adjacent a longitudinally extending square bar 89 which is slidable on top of table 28 and guided at its ends in brackets and H. Opposite the magazines, bar 88 carries slides 12 which have prongs projecting toward the magazines and between which the rolls 66 on pins 65 are engaged. The slides 72 have legs extending across the sides of bar 59, their lower ends being joined by plates as at 13 to hold the slides against lifting. To the left of each slide 72, see Figure 5 in particular, a block 14 is fixed to the top of bar 69. The blocks and slides have opposed recesses in which are engaged the ends of compression springs 75 so that each slide is yieldingly urged to the left. Each slide 12 has an abutment screw It threaded into its right hand side and locked by means of a nut ll. These abutment screws normally engage the blocks 14 to the right of their associated slides.

Upon movement of bar 69 to the right, the slides are all carried therewith under the force of springs 15 to cause closure discs to be simultaneously ejected from'all of the magazines 55 to 53'. However, in case of a jam occurring in one or more of the magazines, the slides 12 may yield so as to avoid breakage. It will be understood that proper positioning of slides 72 relative to their associated magazines is secured through proper adjustment of abutment screws A bracket 18 secured beneath table 28 at the left hand end of rod 69 carries a pin 1'9 on'which is mounted a lever 84 whose upper end extends through an opening in the table and is pivoted by means of a pin 8i to the end of rod 69. Pin

' El is carried in slightly longitudinally elongated openings in the forked end of lever 86 so that the latter is able to swing freely. Journaled in parallel relation to pin 79 in a lower bearing 82 of bracket ":8 is a shaft 83. A head 84 on shaft 83 carries a crank pin 85 which is engaged in a longitudinally extending slot 86 in the lower end of lever 88. Through rotation of shaft 83, the proper reciprocating range is imparted to bar 69.

The feeding fingers or pins 3'? are spaced apart as the centers of the magazines. The speed of chain 36, which is driven by mechanism to be later described, is such relative to the speed of the synchronized shaft 83 that upon the ejection of a group of closures, the next group will not be ejected until the last closure of the preceding group has traveled past magazine 5! and the closure then ejected from magazine 5! will fall in front of the first idle finger 3?. The direction of travel of the upper run of the chain is to the left, all views. The timing is such that as the closures are ejected, the feeding fingers come into propelling engagement therewith almost immediately to slide the closures along the track.

There is a tendency for the ejected closures to float downwardly rather than to move rapidly onto the track and the consequent retarded movement may be such as to cause the closures to be missed by the proper feeding fingers. In order to overcome this possible difficulty, I pro vide means for exhausting the air beneath the ejected closures.

Beneath each magazine the guide rails 41 and 48 and rib 42 are provided with through ducts or passages 87 and 88, Figures 4 to '7. A troughlike member til is secured beneath rib 42 and closes the lower ends of all of the passages Si and 88 to provide a manifold in conjunction with the iower surface of the rib. Member 89 has a central sump 99 whose rear side wall has an opening 9|, this side wall being expanded into a flange 92 against the outer face of which is secured the flange 93 of a valve housing 94. Valve housing 94 has an opening 95 aligned with the opening 9I, Figures 6 and 7, and includes a counterbore 96 intersecting opening 95. Counterbore 96 is closed at one end by a threaded. cap 97 and receives a valve plunger having a head 98 pressed against a seat 99 by means of a compression spring I00 interposed between the head and the cap. The plunger has a reduced stem portion 10! and a cylindrical enlargement I02 slidable in the reduced end of the counterbore beyond seat 99. A port I63 communicating with counterbore 96 opposite the stern portion I0! is outwardly flanged for connection with a pipe I04. this latter leading from any suitable suction device such as a pump or reservoir. An abutment screw I05 is threaded into the outer extremity of enlargement I02 and locked by means of a nut I06.

An arm I0? secured to the underside of bar 69 projects downwardly through a slot in table 28 with its lower end in front of abutment screw I05. As bar 69 moves to the right to cause clo sures to be ejected, it strikes abutment screw I05, unseating the valve head 98 and connecting the passages 31 and 88 with the vacuum device, this connection occurring substantially at the moment the closures are released by the fish tail points. Since the orifices of passages 81 and 88 immediately underlie the marginal portions of the closures, the latter are instantaneously drawn downwardly onto the guide rails. Arm I0I strikes abutment screw I only near the end of the right hand travel of bar 69, that is, when the latter has moved far enough to effect ejection. As bar 69 almost immediately starts to return, the valve head 98 is immediately seated by its spring so that suction is interrupted slightly before the closures are engaged by the feeding fingers, thus eliminating drag on the latter.

As the propelled caps pass to the printing section of the machine, they are received on track sections H0, III, H2, and H3, Figure 2. Each of these track sections comprises an upwardly faced channel base, forming a continuation of channel 43, and pairs of guide rails as at H4 and H5, Figure 12. In order that the closure discs may be prevented from lifting, the shoulders of the rails H4 and II 5 may have applied to their tops strips I I6 and II! whose adjacent marginal portions overhang the edges of the discs. The track section II 0 is secured to the adjacent end of section III for support thereby. Sections III and H2 constitute platens for cooperation with printing rolls I I8 and I I 9 and are supported between the side walls 25 and 26 for vertical adjustment by means to be later described. The track section H3 is fixedly supported by means of cross bars as at I20. The left hand end of section II3 projects beyond sprocket 3i and is longitudinally slotted to permit chain 26 to pass around the sprocket.

A pulley I2I, Figure 1, mounted on a stud I22 at the rear side of wall 25, is connected to any suitable prime mover by means of a belt I23. The pulley has fixed thereto a gear I 24 which meshes with a gear I25 fixed on the sprocket shaft 30. Gear I25 meshes with an idler I26 mounted on a stud at the rear of wall 25, the idler driving a similarly mounted gear I27. Gear I27 meshes with gears I28 and I29 fixed on shafts I30 and I3I, Figures 10 and 11, which carry the printing rolls, the shafts I30 and I3I being journaled in bushings as at I 32, Figure 11, fixed in wall 25. A sprocket I33 fixed to gear I2! is connected by means of a chain I34 with a sprocket I 35 fixed on shaft 83, a tension roller I36, as here shown, engaging the top run of chain I34. Since shaft 83 is in connection with the roll driving gears I I8 and H9 through gear I2'I, sprockets I33 and I35 and chain I34, and since gear I2! is driven through idler I26 which engages gear I25 fixed on the drive shaft for the conveyor chain, it will be evident that the speed of rotation of the printing rolls, the speed of chain 26, and the reciprocating period of rod 69 will bear a constant relation.

The frame extension 21 carries series I31 and I38 of inking rolls, the top rollers of the series being in communication with reservoirs I39 and I40. Since the inking mechanism may be of conventional form, no detailed description is required at this time. The rollers may be driven from gears I28 and I29.

Drying mechanism for the printed closures may be provided for use where required. To this end a shaft I4I at the left hand end of the main frame and journaled in the walls thereof has fixed thereon a sprocket I42 engaged by a chain I 43 whose upper run, guided over an idler I44, transverses a drying oven I45. Chain I43 has outwardly projecting fingers thereon between which closures passing from the adjacent extremity of track section II3 are adapted to fall. A sprocket I46 free on the forward end of shaft I4I is connected by a chain I41 with a sprocket I58 fixed on shaft 30. A disc I49 keyed on shaft I4I may be engaged or disengaged with sprocket I46 by means of a. clutch pin I50. With the clutch pin engaged, the conveyor chain I43 is continuously driven from shaft 30, or by releasing the pin, the drive may be disconnected. Since it is sometimes desired to drive the drying conveyor without operating the rest of the machine, I preferably provide an independent drive therefor, this being operable when the clutch pin I50 is withdrawn to free disc I49 from sprocket I 46. In Figures 1 and 2 I have shown a drive chain I5I connecting any suitable source of power with a sprocket I 52 loose on shaft I4I. On its inner face the sprocket has a clutch collar I53 secured thereto and engageable by a clutch collar I54 which is splined on shaft I45. A shipper fork I55 operatively associated with clutch collar I54 is manipulatable by means of a lever I56 to slide collar I54 along shaft MI between clutch engaging and disengaging positions. The clutch I53, I54 is only engaged when it is desired to drive the drying conveyor independently of the rest of the machine, and in this circumstance, disc I49 and sprocket I 46 will be disengaged, as above mentioned, so that drive will not be communicated to shaft 30.

Track section III, Figures 2, 10, and 12, has a pair of transverse bores in which are rockably received eccentric bushings I51 and I58 fixed on shafts I59 and I60 which are journaled in walls 25 and 26. Between shafts I59 and I60 on the front face of wall 26 a pair of brackets I6I and I62 are fixed, these providing journals for a spindle I 63 which has an enlargement between the two brackets to prevent endwise displacement of the spindle. The ends of the spindle project beyond the brackets and are provided with worms I 64 and I65 which engage small worm wheels I66 and I6! fixed on the ends of shafts I59 and I69.

The eccentrics I51 and I58 occupy the same angular positions relative to their axes and, upon turning spindle I63, are similarly rocked by their supporting shafts to move track section III translationally toward or away from printing roller I I8 for efficient cooperation with the latter as a platen. The worms and worm wheels are self-locking so that the platen is rigidly held in adjusted position. The enlarged portion of the spindle may be provided with openings as at I68,

if desired, so as to be engageable by a pin or the like for turning.

Platen II2 is supported and adjustable in exactly the same manner as platen III, its supporting shafts being designated at I69 and I10 and the eccentrics at HI and I12, Figure 19.

The two platens are independently adjustable, as will be evident. Due to the action of the eccentrics, the platens upon adjustment will undergo longitudinal as well as vertical movement and, for this reason, a small space is left between the platens as well as between track section II3 on the one hand and section H and table 28 on the other hand. The right hand ends of the chain guiding ribs and of the guide rails I I i and N5 of sections Ho, H2, and H3 may be slightly beveled off to provide a smooth track when their top faces are adjusted out of flush relation.

As herein contemplated, printing roll IIS is designed to print on the raised central portion of the closures and printing roll II9 on the depressed annular portions. Except for the printing pads used, the two rolls are otherwise identical and the following description directed to roll H8 will be understood, to apply also to roll H9.

Referring particularly to Figures 1, 10, ll, 12, and 13 of the drawings, roll I I8 comprises a cylindrical core member I13, an intermediate ring portion I14 and an outer ring portion I15. The core I13 is keyed on shaft I35 and held against outward axial movement by a washer I16 secured to the end of the shaft. At its outer end the core has a flange I11 expanded at diametrically opposite points to provide lugs I18 and I19 which lie against the outer face of ring portion I14. Lug I19 has a transverse slot through which is passed the shank of a screw I80 threaded in a tapped aperture in the ring. Lug I18 projects between a pair of split lugs WI and I82 projecting outwardly from ring I14, these latter carrying screws I83 and I 84 whose adjacent ends bear against lug I18. Ring I14 may be turned relative to core I13 upon loosening screw I80 and adjustingscrews I33 and I85. In this manner, the required angular adjustment of the ring and core may be effected, screws I83 and I84 locked in abutment with lug I81, and screw I80 tightened to hold ring I14 against lug I19. I

At its rear edge, ring I14 has an annular shoulder I85 abutted by ring I15, the two rings being keyed together as indicated in Figure 12. In radial grooves I85 and I81 formed in the bottoms of channels I88 and I89 on the front face of ring II are disposed a pair of lugs I99 and I9I, these lugs being secured to the ring by means of screws 592 and I93. Theouter ends of lugs I99 and IQI overlap the inner portion of ring I to secure the latter against shoulder I85.

The side faces of ring I15 are provided with annular grooves I94 and I95. Disposed about the periphery of ring I15 in equally spaced relation are a series of printing pads I96 which may be conveniently formed of rubber although any other I94 and I95, Figure 12, the bridge portions of the clamps being ordinarily somewhat spaced from the sides of the ring as indicated. The clamps are secured to ring I15 by means of screws 200 and 29L It will be evident that upon loosening the screws, the base plates may be slid circumferentially of ring I15 and may also be adjusted transversely thereof by proper adjustment of the screws. In Figure 12, for example, the base plate I91 is shown as being adjusted slightly to the right relative to ring I15 for the purpose of securing proper register. If necessary, shims may be interposed between the base plate and ring I15 to insure uniform printing of the pads.

In Figure 14, in particular, the base plate I91, secured to roll I I9, is shown as having aflixed thereto a printing pad 2ii2 having an annular printing face 263 of asize to engage and print the marginal portions of the closures. The central portion of pad 292 is spaced above the upwardly oflset central portion of the closure so as to prevent smearing'of the printing previously effected by a pad I96.

The printing pads are spaced apart on their respective rolls at intervals. corresponding exactly to the spacing of the closures as fed under the rolls by fingers 31 and the relative adjustment of the chain and rolls is such as to bring successive discs into exact printing register with successive pads. The peripheral speed of the rolls is exactly the same as the speed of the chain.

Clearance is provided between the pads for the upper extremities of the feeding fingers 31.

The closures may be simple metal plates or may be of laminated construction. Where the printing surfaces are metal, the drying oven is ordinarily required but with the printing surfaces faced with paper, for' example, which will absorb the ink, the oven can be dispensed with.

Due to the various adjustments which have been described and the interconnection of all of the driven mechanisms, the closures may be accurately fed to the chain and accurately presented to the printing rolls and the machine operated at a satisfactory production speed.

In the described machine, two rolls are provided for printing on different surfaces of a closure or the like. If it were desired to print only on one surface or if the closure were uni-planar, one roll could of course be dispensed with. The principal purpose of providing the two'rolls' is to avoid the difficulty of inking a printing pad having printing surfaces at different levels. However, with the single roll, a printing roller may be provided for inking the outer level of a plural level pad and a further roller for inking the lower level; The latter roller would be provided with localized inking pads moved in timed relation with the printing roll so that successive inking pads would cooperate with successive printing pads. In thepresent case, if pads I96 and 202 were combined, a plane cylindrical inking roller could be provided for the outer annular printing portion 253 and a cylindrical roller with raised inking pads 'for cooperation with pads I95.

Theprinting rolls may be designed to carry a circular band on which the pads are properly spaced. In Figures 15 and 16, a roll 254 is shown as carrying a continuous band 255 on which are amxed at proper intervals the printing pads 255, the band and pads being shown in plan in Figure 11. At its ends, the band has affixed thereto Wedge-shaped blocks 201 and 298, these being received in a groove 2B9 extending transversely of the roll periphery. A transverse rib 2H] in groove 209 and integral with the roll lies between blocks 20'! and 238. A U-shaped locking member 2|! having legs 2 l2 and 2 I3 with wedge faces for engagement with blocks 23'! and 208 is pulled into engagement with the latter by means of a screw 2E4 threaded in the end of rib ZIB for the purpose of tensioning the band. Blocks 2G7 and 208 are undercut as shown in Figure 15 so that the ends of the band are held down. The ends of blocks 207 and 298 opposite screw 2H4 abut an annular shoulder 215 on the roll to prevent their transverse displacement under the action of member 2! l. The advantage of this arrangement over the previously described is that the pads may be accurately placed on the band and the whole group applied to the roll in a single operation.

In Figures 18 to 20, I have shown means for moving an inner printing pad relative to an outer pad so that the two may be at difierent levels for printing but at the same level for inking. In these views, the ring 256 is provided in its side toward wall 25 with an annular groove 21?. Peripherally, the roll is provided with a series of circular radial recesses 2! having central cylindrical radial bosses 2!!) therein. Cup-shaped plungers 223 are positioned in recesses 2| 8 and as shown in Figure 20 have flanges 220' provided with radial projections as at 22! and 222 mating with similarly shaped axially extending recesses in the walls of the recesses to prevent turning of the members 223. On their outer circ'ular faces, members 220 carry printing pads 222 which are radially movable in openings in a printing pad 224 and its base plate 225, the latter being secured to the roll by means of screws 226. Interposed between plates 225 and the flanges 220' are compression springs 225 which tend to move members 220 inwardly. Each member 223 has secured thereto a cylindrical stem 226 slidable in a radial bore in a boss 2].).

Secured to wall 25 and projecting within recess 2|! are upper and lower substantially semicylindrical cam members 22'! and 228 and the latter, if desired, may be rendered somewhat vertically adjustable by the illustrated screw and slot connection between its flange 229 and wall 25. Cam 221 is formed on a somewhat greater radius than cam 228 and has end portions 230 overlying the ends of the latter in the manner shown in Figure 19 to provide a smooth peripheral track. The inner ends of stems 226 bear against cams 221 and 228 by reason of the action of springs 225. When any stem is on cam 228, its associated pad 223 is projected outwardly to the level of the printing portion of pad 224 so that the two pads may be simultaneously inked. When a stem 226 is on cam 228, its associated pad 223 is retracted by the spring 225 to the position shown in Figure 18 so as to print properly on the raised surface of the closure while the other pad is printing the closure margin. Vent openings H80. and 25817 are provided for recess 218 to eliminate dash pot effects.

In Figure 21, a somewhat similar arrangement to that described is shown. In this figure, the roll 23! is provided with radial bores 232 in which are slidable cylindrical cup-shaped plungers 233 which carry printing pads 234, these latter being movable within the outer pads 235. Members 233 are pressed outwardly by means of compression springs 236, movements of members 233 being limited by means of screws 231 passed through the walls of bores 232 and engaged in axially extending ended recesses in members 233. A vent duct is shown at 238.

Springs 235 normally hold pads 234 at the level of pads 235 for inking, the pads 234 being unable to pass this position due to the limiting effect of screws 237. During the printing operation, however, the raised portions of the closures push the pads 234 inwardly to the position shown so that both levels of the cap are simultaneously printed upon.

It will be understood that the specific disclosure herein may be departed from without departure from the scope of the invention. Variations are possible in the form and arrangement of parts, and accordingly, I do not limit myself except as in the following claims:

I claim:-

1. Apparatus of the class described comprising a horizontal track, a magazine disposed above said track and containing a stack of closures, means for ejecting the closures one by one from the bottom of the stack, and a suction line including an orifice beneath the ejected closure for drawing the same onto the track.

2. Apparatus of the class described comprising a horizontal track, a magazine disposed above said track and containing a stack of closures, means for ejecting the closures one by one from the bottom of the stack, a suction line including an orifice beneath the ejected closure for drawing the same onto the track, a valve normally closing said line, and means for opening said valve as each closure is ejected.

3. Apparatus of the class described comprising a horizontal track having a central longitudinally extending slot, conveying means extending upwardly through said slot, a magazine disposed above said track and containing a stack of closures, means for ejecting the closures one by one from the bottom of the stack, and a suction line including orifices in the track at the sides of said slot and beneath the ejected closure for drawing the same onto the track.

4. Apparatus of the class described comprising a horizontal track having a central longitudinally extending slot, conveying means extending upwardly through said slot, a magazine disposed above said track and containing a stack of closures, means for ejecting the closures one by one from the bottom of the stack, a suction line including orifices in the track at the sides of said slot and beneath the ejected closure for drawing the same onto the track, a valve normally closing said line, and means for opening said line as each closure is ejected.

5. Apparatus of the class described comprising a horizontal track having a central longiudinally extending slot, an endless draft device having a run underlying said slot, feeding fingers spaced along said run and projecting upwardly through said slot, a magazine positioned above said slot and containing a stack of closures, means for ejecting closures one by one from the bottom of said stack to be engaged and propelled by said fingers, a suction line including orifices beneath the ejected closure for drawing the same onto the track, a valve in said line, and means for opening said valve as each closure is ejected and for closing the valve just prior to the engagement of the closure by a feeding finger.

6. Apparatus for printing closure discs of the type having marginal portions and central portions in separate planes, comprising a pair of printing rolls in tandem relation, one of said rolls having localized printing portions spaced circumferentially thereon for printing on the marginal portions of the discs and the other having similarly spaced localized printing portions for printing on the central portions of the discs, means for driving the rolls at the same peripheral speed and means for feeding the discs in line beneath said rolls with the discs spaced apart as said printing portions and at a speed equal to the peripheral speed of said rolls whereby the marginal and central portions of the discs are successively printed upon by the printing portions of the rolls.

'7. Apparatus of the class described comprising a printing roll having raised printing pads circumferentially spaced thereon, means for driving the roll, a platen for cooperation with said roll and having a longitudinal slot, and propelling means for closures to be printed comprising feeding fingers projecting upwardly through said slot above the edge of the propelled closure, said propelling means being timed to feed the closures .under the pads to be printed upon as said roll is driven, the upper ends of said fingers having clearance between the pads.

8. Apparatus for printing closure discs of the type having high and low portions, said apparatus comprising rotary means, a pair of printing members carried by said rotary means, a rectilinearly extending platen for supporting the discs to be printed, one of said printing members having a path elevated with respect to the platen as compared to the path of the other so that the first is adapted to print on the high portions 3 of the discs and the other is adapted to print on the low portions of the discs, and means for propelling the discs in equally spaced relation along said platen at a speed equal to the peripheral speed of said rotary means.

9. Apparatus for printing closure discs of the type having high and low portions, said apparatus comprising rotary means, a pairof printing members carried by said rotary means, a rectilinearly extending platen for supporting the discs to be printed, one of said printing members having a path elevated with respect to the platen as compared to the path of the other so that the first is adapted to print on the high portions of the discs and the other is adapted to print on the low portions of the discs, the printing action of said members being successive, and means for propelling the discs in equally spaced relation along said platen at a speed equal to the peripheral speed of said rotary means.

10. Apparatus for printing closure discs of the type having high and low portions, said apparatus comprising rotary means, a pair of printing members carried by said rotary means, a rectilinearly extending platen for supporting the discs to be printed, one of said printing members having a path elevated with respect to the platen as compared to the path of the other so that the first is adapted to print on the high portions of the discs and the other is adapted to: print on the low portions of the discs, said rotary means comprising a pair of rolls, one of the rolls carrying one of the printing members and the other roll carrying the other printing member, means for driving the rolls at equal peripheral speed, and means for propelling the discs in equally spaced relation along said platen at a speed equal to the peripheral speed of the rolls.

11. Apparatus for printing closure discs of the type having high and low portions, said apparatus comprising rotary means, a pair of printing members carried by said rotary means, a rectilinearly extending platen for supporting the discs to be printed, one of said printing members having a path elevated with respect to the platen as compared to the path of the other so that the first is adapted to print on the high portions of the discs and the other is adapted to print on the low portions of the discs, the printing action or said means being substantially simultaneous, and means for propelling the discs in equally spaced relation along said platen at a speed equal to the peripheral speed of said rotary means.

12. Apparatus for printing closure discs of the type having high and low portions, said apparatus comprising rotary means, a pair of printing members carried by said rotary means, a rectilinearly extending platen for supporting the discs to be printed, one of said printing members having a path elevated with respect to the platen as compared to the path of the other so that the first is adapted to print on the high portions of the discs and the other is adapted to print on the low portions of the discs, one of said printing members being surrounded by the other, and means for propelling the discs in equally spaced relation along said platen at a speed equal to the peripheral speed of said rotary means.

13. Apparatus for printing closure discs of the type having high and low portions, said apparatus comprising rotary means, a pair of printing members carried by said rotary means, a rectilinearly extending platen for supporting the discs to be printed, one of said printing members having a path elevated with respect to the platen as compared to the path of the other so that the first is adapted to print on the high portions of the discs and the other is adapted to print on the low portions of the discs, one of said members being radially movable relative to the other, and means for propelling the discs in equally spaced relation along said platen at a speed equal to the peripheral speed of said rotary means.

14. Apparatus for printing closure discs of the type having high and low portions, said apparatus comprising rotary means, a pair of printing members carried by said rotary means, a rectilinearly extending platen for supporting the discs to be printed, one of said printing members having a path elevated with respect to the platen as compared to the path of the other so that the first is adapted to print on the high portions of the discs and the other is adapted to print on the low portions of the discs, one of said members being radially movable relative to the other, means for projecting the movable member from a relatively retracted printing position to an inking position wherein it is substantially flush with the other member, and means for propelling the discs in equally spaced relation along said platen at a speed equal to the peripheral speed of said rotary means.

15. Apparatus for printing closure discs of the type having high and low portions, said apparatus comprising rotary means, a pair of printing members carried by said rotary means, a rectilinearly extending platen for supporting the discs to be elevated with respect to the platen as compared to the path of the other so that the first is adapted to print on the high portions of the discs and the other is adapted to print on the low portions of the discs, one of said members being radially movable relative to the other, means for projecting the movable member from a relatively retracted printing position to an inking position wherein it is substantially flush with the other member, means for retracting said movable member, and means for propelling the discs in equally spaced relation along said platen at a speed equal to the peripheral speed of said rotary means.

16. Apparatus for printing closure discs of the type having high and low portions, said apparatus comprising rotary means, a pair of printing members carried by said rotary means, a rectilinearly extending platen for supporting the discs to be printed, one of said printing members having a path elevated with respect to the platen as compared to the path of the other so that the first is adapted to print on the high portions of the discs and the other is adapted to print on the low portions of the discs, one of said members being radially movable relative to the other, means for moving the movable member from an inking position wherein it is substantially flush with the other member to a relatively retracted printing position, and means for propelling the discs in equally spaced relation along said platen at a speed equal to the peripheral speed of said rotary means.

17. Apparatus for printing closure discs of the type having high and low portions, said apparatus comprising rotary means, a pair of printing members carried by said rotary means, a rectilinearly extending platen for supporting the discs to be printed, said platen comprising separate portions respectively cooperable with the rolls,

the platen portions being adjustable independently of each other relative to their associated rolls, one of said printing members having a path elevated with respect to the platen as compared to the path of the other so that the first is adapted to print on the high portions of the discs and the other is adapted to print on the low portions of the discs, said rotary means comprising a pair of rolls, one of the rolls carrying one of the printing members and the other roll carrying the other printing member, means for driving the rolls at equal peripheral speed, and means for propelling the discs in equally spaced relation along said platen at a speed equal to the peripheral speed of the rolls.

18. Apparatus of the class described comprising horizontally extending conveying mechanism, means for driving said conveying mechanism, a group of magazines disposed above said conveying mechanism in equally spaced relation and containing stacks of closures, means for intermittently ejecting closures from all said magazines onto said conveying mechanism, and operating means for said last named means intermittently driven from said driving means and so timed that the first of one series of ejected closures is spaced from the last of the preceding series a distance the same as the spacing of the closures of each series.

GEORGE W. BOOTH. 

